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Friday, August 30, 2013

I think Lake Yellowstone area was my favorite in all of Yellowstone. I say I think because really it was just all so gorgeous it's nearly impossible to choose which area was the best, but when Drew and I were talking on our way home, we decided Lake Yellowstone took the lead by just a smidge.

I mean, it's got the mountains And water. Two of my very favorite things.

When we arrived at Lake Lodge we found out we couldn't check in till 4. First we thought, disaster, because we had a Very tired 1 year old. But we decided to make the best of it and went to the marina to check out the boats and walk along the water. Jasper started begging to go in a boat, and the bigger boat tours weren't for another hour so we decided to take out a little paddle boat. It was perfect! It was a little windy so Drew definitely got an arm work out in! It kept our tired kiddos entertained, and we brought a snack with to enjoy out in the middle of the lake. Perfection.

After naps we explored the area some more and had a late dinner, and afterwards Drew and I (like every other night) put the kiddos to bed then sat out on the porch sipping wine and played cards with the deck we bought in the gift shop.

As we were sitting there, listening to the wolves howl close by (sort of creepy) we saw a large fox walking by the cars. It was still 15 feet away so I wasn't too freaked out, then it disappeared into the dark and I couldn't see it any longer. Till it came around the corner and jogged 1/2 a foot from where we were sitting. I gasped/jumped/possibly peed my pants a little bit (not really but I was dang close) and scared the fox away. I was ready to head in after that. I know a fox isn't some super scary animal, but having one 8 inches from me in His habitat was just a little out of my comfort zone.

The next day was Jaspers 6th birthday! We woke him up (after Tindra woke Us up) with a few presents in bed then headed out to a super special birthday breakfast at Lake Yellowstone hotel. Definitely the fanciest place to eat in all of Yellowstone!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

I've been wanting to do a full on juice cleans since I was pregnant. After doing a lot of research I've learned that juicing is great for :

increasing energy

jumpstarting weight loss

firing up metabolism

purifying your liver

increasing lifespan

Some great reasons to do a juice cleanse huh? For a few months I was juicing for breakfast, but honestly I got kind of lazy. Cleaning that damn juicer every morning got Super annoying.

I was super excited, like Ridiculously excited when I was given the chance to do a three day juice cleanse with skinny limits I already knew I wanted to do a cleanse, and after researching their company a bit, I knew they were the perfect company to do my cleanse with.

Here's a bit about the company from their site

Skinny Limits was founded in the kitchen of the founders, in Austin :) They had tried their first juice cleanse and loved it. They wanted to do one every couple of weeks, but the mainstream juice companies were too expensive. They started buying their own bottles and a good juicer knowing that even it would be more expensive than a cleanse up front, it would save them money in the long run. They soon discovered that making their own cleanses was extremely difficult and took up their entire day to make and left their kitchen in a complete mess. They powered through it and soon after their neighbors and friends started asking them to make cleanses for them too.

This started the events that turned a two person shop in austin into a quickly growing 25 person team that serves nationwide. While juice cleanses are our main priority, we focus on raw foods in general. Everything in our shop is raw, no exceptions! We have raw lunches, raw (healthy) smoothies, raw juices, raw deserts, and of course raw cleanses. We're so diligent about keeping our shop uncontaminated, that if any employee has meat in their lunch, we ask them to keep it in a cooler outside of the shop.

The shop also helps us keep our costs down. Most cleanse companies use a warehouse to produce their cleanses, which has a high upkeep. We produce our cleanses right out of our shops outside of store hours, which helps us keep our costs as low as possible. In most cases, it's less expensive to get our cleanse shipped to your front door than it is to pick it up at a local shop. All our shipments are made the day before you receive them. They're cooled and packaged immediately after they're made.

Lastly, our cleanse is 100% raw. Most mainstream juice cleanse companies claim to be raw, but they're not. They get bought out by, or are associated with, bigger companies which force them to distribute their product in other stores. The problem is, raw juice only lasts for about 5 days, so it's not feasible. This means they have to use a process called HP Pasteurization. Instead of heat, this uses high pressure to pasteurize. This more than quadruples it's shelf life, but kills everything in the juice. We use no pasteurization and no processing. Our juice is alive.

Awesome right? A box full of cold, alive juice arrives at your doorstep and all you have to do is drink it! Super easy!

The first day of my cleanse was no doubt the hardest. By evening I had horrible head aches (which I was expecting as I had read it was a very likely side effect of juicing) but not unbearable.

The second day I was expecting to wake up starving as I had gone to bed a bit hungry, but was shockingly NOT hungry! I had my first juice and then was good to go! And the headaches were gone! Another huge surprise for me was the amount of energy I had! Going from 3-4 cups of coffee a day to zero I was expecting to be exhausted, but I wasn't! I actually felt great! And lighter. But not hungry! I actually had to force myself to drink al 6 drinks that second day because I just wasn't hungry!

The third day my sister brought over dunkin donuts (we were in Iowa, we don't have DD here yet) and yes, I sort of wanted to smack her for bringing my Favorite snack over when I couldn't eat them. But instead I stuck a straw in one of my juices and went and sat outside and drank it while everyone else ate donuts. Dedication right? By the end of the third day I was seriously feeling like I didn't even need food! (Don't worry I ate plenty over the following days) But I honestly felt like I could have kept going with the juice cleanse! I felt That good!

And now for the two questions I got asked most while doing the cleanse, does it taste good and did you lose weight. Yes and yes!

The juices were actually pretty good! I did the standard cleanse that came with 4 different kinds of juices, and the 'green' juices weren't bad at all, I had Drew and my mom take sips and both were shocked about how good they were. And the scorpion lemonade was Really good! A tiny bit sour, but a nice welcome change after drinking green juice all day. And the crescent moon (cashew nut milk) was Really fantastic. Such a welcome treat (vanilla/cinnamon almond milk taste) after the day of juice. It really made the difference. Completely filled me up each night so I slept amazing and didn't wake up hungry.

And yes, I lost weight! That wasn't a main goal but it certainly was welcome! Three days of cleansing and I lost 6 pounds! But more importantly, I felt good on the inside. It sounds weird to say, but I felt, well cleansed! That's really the only weigh to describe it. I felt lighter. And that's a great feeling my friends.

A cleanse is recommended doing several times a year, and I can tell you I definitely will be doing this again! And I'll do it with skinny limits. I know there is No way I would have even made it through a day if I would have had to actually make the juice myself several times a day. There were times I just Did Not feel like drinking more juice. But it was sitting there right in my fridge waiting for me to drink it. So I did. And kept doing it. But if I would have had to actually do all the work do wash, chop, juice and then clean the juicer afterward? I know I would have given up. So actually ordering the juice and letting someone else do the work is the way to do this kind of cleanse. Also, it's practically the same price! For the amount of juice you get, $49/day is very affordable. Anyone that has juiced knows how much fruits and veggies you need. A TON. When I do a juice for breakfast I will use 2 cucumbers, 2 apples, and 2 pears just for a small glass for myself. And that's easily $6-8. And with skinny limits you get 6 large juice drinks per day. Pretty sweet deal!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

I've been wanting to jump on the whole Stitch Fix band wagon for a while, but decided I had enough summer clothes as I have about a gazillion dresses. But I finally decided a few weeks ago I was ready for a bit of a wardrobe make over, AND I knew Jasper's first day of school was going to be really rough for me and figured a little stitch fix pick me up was just what I needed.

I had a few concerns but figured $20 to try it out was nothing. My concerns were

1. I wouldn't like anything/ wouldn't be 'my style' at all

2. Nothing would fit as I feel like I'm a bunch of different sizes, depends on what it is I'm buying

3. The items would be waaay to pricey.

Turns out, I had NOTHING to worry about it. Now I have a new problem, I think I love it ALL. These are the items I received in my very first stitch fix

^Shanae printed tie wasted dress- love the print and cut of this dress, its a bit pricier than I normally spend on a dress, but with the 25% off if I get everything it's not a bad price! And this will be great for fall and winter with boots! ^

^Burgandy skinny jeans, super stretchy and comfy! I was worried with pants especially not fitting, but they fit like a glove!^

^When I first saw this print I was all 'meh' but then I put it on and I was all 'Ah!' its super soft, open cross blouse and I was so surprised how much I loved it! Very different than anything I own!^

^And for my final and favorite piece. I can't tell you how much i love this cardigan. Polka dots on the inside, stripes on the outside, I mean what's not to love? And the cut is super fun too. It's definitely more than I've ever spent on a cardigan, but I think I HAVE to get it!^

Everything is so unique and different and I don't have any pieces even Close to any of these items. Yes, some of these items were a bit pricey (like the cardigan and dress) but if I buy them all I get 25% off all the items, so that's kind of what I have to do right?

Plus I think this is a great way to jump start my fall wardrobe. See how I'm talking myself into keeping them all?

How it works if you aren't quite sure- you go to Stitch Fix and fill out a style profile (which is super detailed) and also your sizes (again super detailed, not just small medium large etc) and then they charge your card $20, you choose the date you want your 'fix' to arrive (can do it however often you like, but it's not like you have to sign up and do it every month) and then a personal stylist looks at your style and sends you 5 items she thinks you will love and even sends tips on how to style these items. Then you try on the items, and if you decide to purchase any of the items that $20 you already spent gets applied to your purchase. So for example if you decide to keep a $40 shirt, you only owe $20 now because you already paid a $20 styling fee. Whatever you decide not to keep, you pack up in the prepaid bag and drop it in the mail. Super simple, super convenient and such fun goodies! I can't wait to do it again, I feel like this is my definite new favorite way to shop!

Here's a referral if you want to try it out! http://stitchfix.com/sign_up?referrer_id=3155944 and of course you can just go to stitchfix.com and try it without my referral code (which I get credit for if you sign up) but I heard there's a long(er) waiting list if you do it without a code. I used a blogger referral so I'm not sure how long the wait is without one. Let me know if you decide to check it out!

Also, which are your favorite of my pieces? I'm having SUCH a hard time choosing!! At this point I'm leaning to getting them all! Shhh don't tell Drew!

Monday, August 26, 2013

Dropping Jasper off today for his first day of school came with so many mixed emotions, and most emotions for me = tears. Whenever I feel things hard I cry. It's just what I do. So when I'm feeling so many things all at once, oh you better believe the tears were long and hard.

I felt so proud watching him march right up to a new friend and tell him he was sitting next to him. So incredibly proud. He's braver than I am.

I felt old today also, which doesn't happen too often being the youngest parents around by probably close to a decade. Having a first grader, that's just so different (for me) than having a pre schooler or even kindergartner.

I felt, and still do feel, so incredibly sad to see him go off to school. I know it sounds dramatic, but it feels like the beginning of the end of having him home with me. The beginning of the end of him being my baby. Soon he will be going off to junior high, then high school, and then college. And even thinking about him leaving home, well it honestly feels like a knife in my side. Imagining that day is unbearable for me. (And yes, Drew thinks I'm incredibly dramatic)

I felt terrified. That's my baby. The one who I have spent pretty much every day for the past 6 years with, protecting, advocating for and doing everything in my power to keep him happy and safe. Now that's someone else's job for a big chunk of the day. And that is so hard and terrifying.

But most of all, I'm just so happy for Jasper. Thrilled he gets to experience school and new friends. I absolutely Loved school. And I want the same for him. And he LOVES to learn and was quite frankly getting bored at home with Tindra and I every day. It's time for him to be around kids his own age.

Only 2 more hours till I get to pick him up and hear all about his day!!

^I promise you he was excited about school, just not about the pictures I was insisting on^

And here for his kindergarten firs day pictures..

Sorry if this post was all jumbled. I've been sort of a wreck today, chugging lots of coffee which hasn't helped my nerves at All! Imagine that!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

We are currently 7 hrs into our 10 hr road trip back home. Leaving home to go home. If you don't feel at 'home' at more than one place this probably doesn't make sense! The kids are of course being rock stars. I'm so lucky to have such good travelers! Hope everyone else is having a fabulous weekend!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

If you hadn't noticed we are on our final trip for the summer and I chose not to even bring a laptop. Completely disconnected which always feel so good. Maybe a little Too good. We are back for two weddings (one last Saturday and

one this coming Saturday) and lots and lots of family time. My favorite. Next week jasper starts first grade (sob!) and I'll get back to regular blogging. I've kind of missed it! Until then, here's Tindra enjoying her first sweet corn. She already knows Iowa sweet corn is the only sweet corn worth eating.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

My dad pulled some strings and got us a Sweet log cabin at Roosevelt lodge one day. We didn't end up getting there till like 9 at night and had to leave the next day by noon to make it to our next destination in the park so we didn't get to see as much of the area as we liked, but what we did was Beautiful! Not surprising. My dad warned me that the cabins were 'rustic' and most didn't have a bathroom, but that was fine by us! Except when we got there, we found out we had one of the nicest cabins available and it most definitely had a bathroom! A nice one! Such a cozy little cabin. Perfect size for our family of 4 with two twin beds and room for Tindra's pack n play. This is the way to 'camp!'

Hanging out on our cabin porch!

Drew and I made it a habit to put the littles to bed then sit out on our various porches where we stayed, looking at the stars, sipping wine and just talking. It was always the perfect end to the busy day. And Drew could never Once keep his eyes open with the cell phone flash.

^ I was walking back to the cabin to grab my purse and this guy ran out in front of me. Scared me!^

^These little guys were Everywhere, so darn cute. Chipmunks I think?^

^Of course Jasper found a stream to play in^

^Little explorer^

After we left 'Rosie' as I heard some of the staff call it we drove to Lake Yellowstone, we stopped a couple of times on the way in the area called Hayden Valley because oh. my gosh. So incredibly gorgeous. I can't get over it. Also, how many times can you use gorgeous in a post before it becomes to repetitive? It's just so insane how beautiful it is. I could go on and on, and I probably will.

There are dozens and dozens of places to stop along the way, but it would hake taken us All day if we had done that so we picked two places. Every couple of miles though I would have gladly stopped and walked around and taken pictures. You could spend MONTHS in Yellowstone and not see it all I'm convinced. (Take my dad, he has lived there now for 8 months, didn't know about half the stuff we told him we saw.)

^Sulphur Caldron^

^Mud Volcano, I think I can't remember all the names of these little places!^

^Very large Bison just hanging out^

^Oh just a very large bison walking 1/2 foot from our car^

^Pro road trippers^

^The lodges will pack you a picnic lunch to go! Filled with yummy foods for on the go^

^Dragons Mouth^

^Lady in blue was Super pissed about the lady taking a pictures of her grand daughter. Strait up cussing that it was taking so long. Yes it was annoying but CHILL lady, you are in Yellowstone, like the most relaxing place ever and you are stressing out because you had to wait 2 minutes to take a better picture?^

I was going to include Lake Yellowstone in this post, but that would include waay to many pictures, because of course I took a million and one. I can't help it, I just love the water so.